There is a range of drugs used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Initially, the aim of drug treatment is to reduce inflammation in the gut to bring relief from symptoms are induce (bring about) remission). Once the condition is under control, your doctor will usually continue to prescribe drugs to maintain remission and prevent relapse – this is called maintenance treatment.

In some cases, if medical treatment is not effective, then surgery may be required. .

Drugs to treat IBD

Many of the drugs used to help control IBD are anti-inflammatory drugs. These include steroids, 5ASAs, immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, methotrexate and ciclosporin, and biological drugs like infliximab and adalimumab.

Other drugs used for IBD include antiobiotics such as metronidazole and ciprofloxacin, and symptomatic drugs such as antidiarrheals and bulking agents.

We have some detailed information sheets about some of the drugs most commonly used in IBD:

Surgery

Sometimes people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease require surgery. A range of surgeries can be recommended and these guides looks at what they are and when they are necessary, weighing up the pros and cons in the process: